By: ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – Illinois State dominated in all facets of the game, with a well-balanced offensive attack in the Redbirds’ (6-5, 4-4 MVFC) 37-0 shutout victory over Missouri State (4-6, 2-5 MVFC) to keep their playoff hopes alive Saturday afternoon on Senior Day in front of 7,144 fans at Hancock Stadium.
For the second-straight week, the ISU offense came alive as they tallied 20 points in the first half, followed by 17 more in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Jake Kolbe led the attack, throwing for three touchdowns and 246 yards against the Bears. Senior wide receiver Anthony Warrum had a record-setting day, as he is now tied for second place all-time in receiving touchdowns with Laurent Robinson (29), while moving into sole possession of third place in all-time receiving yards (2,796).Warrum finished the game with 133 yards receiving and a 38-yard touchdown. Senior running back Jamal Towns ran for 134 yards and one touchdown, including a career-long score of 50 yards. Freshman running back Demarco Corbin also broke 100 yards rushing, totaling 102 yards on the ground, including a career-long 54-yard scamper. Freshman fullback Jake Hendershot recorded his first career touchdown grab, after being on the receiving end of a 1-yard toss from Kolbe.
The Redbird defense provided the offense with plenty of scoring opportunities, as ISU came up with two turnovers and held the Bears’ offense under 200 total yards in the shutout performance. This marks the first time the Redbirds have held an offense to under 200 total yards and recorded a shutout since last November against South Dakota. The ISU defense forced a three-and-out on the first two MSU possessions, which set the tone for the rest of the game and also added two key fourth-down stops on the day. Senior defensive lineman Dalton Keene and sophomore Mitchell Brees each recorded an interception in the contest, and senior Brent Spack rounded out the Redbirds’ defensive performance by recording 10 total tackles, thanks to a career-high eight solo tackles.
The Redbirds capitalized on their first drive of the game on a 42-yard field goal from kicker Sean Slattery, giving ISU an early 3-0 lead. The 11 play, 47-yard drive was led by Kolbe, who completed four passes for 30 yards, including three to Warrum. The first quarter of play ended with ISU leading 3-0, as the Redbird defense held MSU to just one third-down conversion.
On the first drive of the second quarter, the Redbirds capped off a 94-yard drive with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Kolbe to a wide-open Warrum, which extended the ISU lead to 10-0. The Redbird offense then capitalized off an MSU turnover-on-downs, as Christian Gibbs wrestled the ball away from a defender in the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown reception from Kolbe to give ISU a 17-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, the Redbirds forced an MSU turnover, as Dalton Keane intercepted a pass tipped by Matt McCown, giving the Redbirds the ball on MSU’s 23-yard line. ISU capitalized on the turnover with a 22-yard field goal by Slattery to give the Redbirds a 20-0 advantage entering the half.
MSU’s first offensive drive of the second half resulted in an interception by ISU’s Mitchell Brees, giving the Redbirds possession on their own 43-yard line. ISU capitalized once again off the turnover with a 50-yard touchdown run by Jamal Towns, increasing the Redbird lead to 27-0. On the ensuing drive, ISU broke the game wide-open, adding to the lead with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Kolbe to Hendershot, improving their lead to 34-0.
DeMarco Corbin later broke a 54-yard run into MSU territory, resulting in a 20-yard field goal by Slattery to make the score 37-0 in favor of the Redbirds midway through the fourth quarter. The Redbird defense was able to hold off the Bears’ offense for the remainder of the game to seal a shutout victory. The Redbirds have a bye week next Saturday, and next week’s FCS matchups will determine whether they receive a playoff bid when the playoff bracket is announced live on ESPNU at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 20.
